by Ginger Kazay

Created on: December 16, 2007

Fighting high summer energy bills is a topic we became very familiar with our first summer in Arizona. When my family first moved here, we had been warned about the hot summers; but, of course, we were told "it's a dry heat".

Our first summer started out well. Our evaporative coolers worked fine when temperatures started climbing in May. The electric bill barely increased an extra $30 per month. When July arrived and temperatures were going over 100 degrees; it was time to turn on our brand new "energy efficient" air conditioner.

Three weeks later, the electric bill arrived and our jaws dropped. We dashed outside in the 115 degree heat and watched our electric meter spin crazily. We raced back inside, turned off the new "energy efficient heat pump" and sighed as the electric meter slowed to a crawl. Something had to be done. Using air conditioning was costing us an extra $100 per week!

With funds quickly running out, we reviewed the situation.
1) We needed cool air to get a good night's sleep.
2) Outdoor temperatures cooled down to the 80s at night.
3) Evaporative coolers cooled; but, not efficiently at high temperatures.
4) You can only take off so many clothes before you are naked.

Based on those facts; we made some decisions.

1) We turned the evaporative coolers back on; some cooling was better than none. We closed all air vents going into rooms that were rarely used to increase efficiency and air flow.

2) We purchased two small window air conditoners; one for each bedroom. With bedroom doors shut, these small units would quickly cool the rooms for sleeping.

3) We bought window film and put it on our windows. This inexpensive easy-to-install film; keeps heat out. Adding blinds and heavy curtains also helped keep heat out.

4) Ceiling fans: they were already installed, turning them on circulated the air and we felt cooler. (Be sure the directional switch is in the proper position; one way cools for summer and the other redistributes warm air in winter.)

5) "Wind chill factor": we know that winter winds make temperatures feel colder than they are. This princple works all year. We bought several inexpensive oscilating fans and placed them in strategic locations creating miniature "comfort zones".

We also needed to reduce heat generated inside and energy consumption:

1) We replaced our regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs); CFLs use less energy, produce less heat, and last longer.
2) We used our barbeque grill more; cooking outside uses no electricity and

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